One Caveman’s Financial Journey

Saint Louis, Missouri, also known as the Gateway City, is a wonderful destination for a short-distance vacation for visitors from the surrounding area as well as a great getaway for people around the country and world. In recent years, St. Louis has undergone a bit of modern revitalization and has worked hard to add and improve local attractions, from Busch Stadium to the Mississippi Riverfront, to Forest Park, and beyond.

I’ve lived within 100 miles of Saint Louis for my whole life, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to take in the local flavor. Now that I’m a stone’s throw away from the city, I find I have more time now to enjoy the local attractions than ever. But since we have to stick to a tight budget, we’re always looking for ways to entertain ourselves with frugality in mind. Here are some of the best frugal places visit in Saint Louis, MO.

Gateway Arch Riverfront

Photo by: Hjelle

• The Gateway Arch - A wonderful place to start when visiting Saint Louis is to take a trip to the city’s best known landmark, the Gateway Arch. Trips to the top of the 630 foot monument are $7 per adult and $3 for children 12 and under. If you don’t feel like ascending the arch, you can visit the theatre and museum in the Arch or you can stroll the Arch grounds for free and walk right up to the Mississippi River.
• Old Courthouse - Famous for hosting the first two trials of the Dred Scott case and Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote, the Old Courthouse stands today as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Downtown Saint Louis

Photo by: Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

Downtown Saint Louis has a lot to offer, but very little can be done for free or cheap. There’s plenty to see just by walking around, but if you’re looking for attractions, your options may be a bit limited.

• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis - “The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a masterpiece of art and history.” From the stained glass, to the mosaics, to the architecture, visiting the cathedral is a great way to spend an hour or two. You can tour this beautiful cathedral on weekdays between 10am and noon and 1pm and 3pm. Adult admission is $2, students are $1. Call or email in advance to schedule a tour.
• Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours - Although not technically part of downtown, the brewery is a major fixture in Saint Louis. (Hopefully that remains the same after InBev has had its way.) If you’re interested in how beer is produced or if you’re just a beer fan, this free tour of the brewery is for you. As an added bonus, visitors over the age of 21 can sample their favorite brews at the end of the tour.

Forest Park

Photo by: binkle_28

Forest Park was dedicated in 1876 and is owned by the City of Saint Louis and is free to all visitors. In fact, most attractions in the 1,300 acre park are free to the public. You can literally spend a whole weekend in the park and not visit everything it has to offer.

• Saint Louis Zoo - One of the nation’s premiere public zoos, the Saint Louis Zoo is a wonderful day trip for the entire family. In the last few years, they’ve added many new features to the zoo. Admission to the zoo is free, but some specific attractions do charge for admission. Parking is $10 unless you can find a spot on the street and walk.
• Saint Louis Art Museum - The museum features art from almost every era of human civilization, from prehistoric times to modern day. It also features regularly rotating exhibitions as well as traveling exhibitions. Admission to the museum is free every day and admission to feature exhibitions is free on Fridays.
• Missouri History Museum - While the museum focuses on the history of Saint Louis and the surrounding area, it also emphasizes the impact Saint Louis has had on the nation as a whole. General admission is free and admission to special exhibits is free on Tuesdays.
• Saint Louis Science Center - The Saint Louis Science Center is literally fun for all ages. Even at 28, I’m still the one running around from exhibit to exhibit in awe. The Science Center features a planetarium, an OMNIMAX theatre, hands-on experiments for all to try, and much more. General admission is free, but special exhibits do charge for admission. Parking is $8 with limited free parking available.

Saint Louis Metropolitan Area

Photo by: abielskas

While the city of Saint Louis has a lot to offer, the surrounding metropolitan area is home to some wonderfully frugal gems as well.

• Cahokia Mounds - When I was growing up, I wanted to be an archaeologist. It’s an odd profession for a child to admire, but visiting the Cahokia Mounds is what got me started down that path. The site features the capital city of the pre-Columbian civilization known as the Cahokians and a museum and interpretive center. Admission to the site and museum is free, but please be careful not to disturb the artifacts and landmarks.
• The Magic House - The Magic House has four floors and more than 100 hands-on exhibits to engage a child’s mind. Regular admission is $7.50 per person and parking is free.
• Grant’s Farm - Home to the famous Budweiser Clydesdales as well as bison, antelopes, deer and zebras, Grant’s Farm is a surprising getaway in the middle of metro Saint Louis. The site features various shows, tram rides, and the farm itself - all of which are complimentary. Parking is $10.
• Gateway Grizzlies Baseball - While Saint Louis is known as the home of Major League Baseball’s Cardinals, just across the river is a great team with a very fan-friendly stadium. Field reserve box seats are just $9 and you’re literally just a few feet from the playing field. These young Frontier League players may not be playing in the majors just yet, but they’re far more gracious than their higher-paid brethren anyday!
• Missouri Botanical Garden - For a century and a half, the Missouri Botanical Garden has educated and entertained students, botanists, families, and couples in love. Admission is $8 for adults (13 and up) or $4 for Saint Louis City or County residents. The Children’s Garden is $3 per child and free for accompanying adults.

This list is just a small handful of the wonderful attractions Saint Louis has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a frugal getaway or a no-expense-withheld vacation, St. Louis can entertain you. If you’re interested in visiting Saint Louis, MO, you can view the city’s official travel information site at http://www.explorestlouis.com/. The author is not involved, associated, or affiliated with the tourism industry in St. Louis, MO, or any of the mentioned locations; he just lives nearby and loves frugally visiting local attractions.

If you can’t make it to Saint Louis, MO, here are some other frugal places to visit.

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